Monthly Archives: April 2015

Parkline Townhomes (shown above) are being built adjacent to the Fort Rouge Rapid Transit Station.

If you’re living in Winnipeg, chances are, you’re familiar with Qualico. Qualico was founded in Winnipeg 65 years ago, and through smart business decisions and product diversification, what was once a handful of homes in River Heights built by a husband and wife duo has grown into a company that builds over 3,000 homes a year, and employs over 1,900 across Canada and in the United States.
Today, Qualico is proud to be headquartered in Winnipeg and is Western Canada’s largest fully integrated, privately owned real estate company with operations throughout Canada (and even in Texas).
Qualico’s activities span the entire building spectrum, from community development, to building commercial properties, as well as owning companies like Star Building Materials and The Floor Show, and managing thousands of condominium properties across Western Canada via Qualico’s property management group, Rancho.StreetSide division
Qualico’s condominiums are brought to Winnipeggers by their multi-family business unit, StreetSide Developments. StreetSide condos have become a staple for urban Winnipeggers, first-time buyers, and downsizers alike. StreetSide has developed so many condominium properties in Winnipeg, you’d be hard-pressed to drive across the city without passing at least one of their past projects (like the iconic Place Joseph Royal in St. Boniface and the Ship Street Village condos on Waterfront, for example).
“What we know about the Winnipeg market is that home buyers do their research. They have high expectations on having product variety, product availability, and most of all, seeing value for dollar,” says Marty Maykut, vice president of StreetSide Developments Winnipeg.
“We have apartment and townhome style condominiums, but also took on the challenging task of converting seven historic buildings in the Exchange District into SoHo-feeling lofts,” says Maykut. “These types of conversion projects and improvements to the city’s historic downtown areas are examples of how StreetSide and Qualico are committed to building a better Winnipeg,” adds Maykut.Something new in South Osborne
While it may not present the same challenges as century-old conversions, StreetSide’s newest endeavour is also a unique addition to the Winnipeg market. Getting in on the ground level is the perfect way to describe its two upcoming offerings in South Osborne. Adjacent to the Fort Rouge Rapid Transit Station, this TOD (transit oriented development) is sure to be a hub and popular destination to live in the coming years.
As the rapid transit lines are expanded, the already operational transit station will take riders to even more places throughout the city without the need for a vehicle. Its prime spot tucked into a residential neighbourhood off of South Osborne provides a community feel with access to so many great spots – walking distance to South Osborne goodies like the Park Theatre, Deseo Bistro, Vera’s Pizzeria and more.
The first development to be released in the South Osborne neighbourhood will be Parkline Townhomes – urban and affordable two-storey homes with basements, and some with income suite opportunities to help pay the mortgage.
The flexibility of adding an income-generating suite isn’t the only consideration StreetSide took into account with Parkline; the option to fence in a private yard is an ideal option for outdoor lovers and dog owners alike.Changing the face of the neighbourhood
Many more developments are on the way, expanding to areas of the city that have been longing for new housing types. Mature neighbourhoods such as Charleswood and Silver Heights have residents who want to stay in the area, but are looking for new, low maintenance homes, and StreetSide is gearing up to provide just that. Devonshire Village (near Kildonan Green in Regent West) will also be a future home to StreetSide apartment and townhome style condos.
Combined with currently selling developments in Bridgwater Forest, Sage Creek, St. Boniface, Royalwood and the Exchange District, it’s clear that StreetSide is fully intent on contributing to Winnipeg’s growth and providing real options to its residents.

The view from the NAV CANADA airport control tower at Winnipeg Richardson International Airport is truly breathtaking. It’s an exciting place to work and observe the dramatic and intense prairie skies. Many controllers look forward to greeting the 360 degree view as they begin their shift. Sprawled behind them is a stunning view of the city, and ahead a web of runways, open sky, and prairie as far as the eye can see.
As a conductor of the ground and skies surrounding the airport, they are part of a highly specialized team that controls the movement and synchronization of the players before them. Like any great score, the rhythm ebbs and flows. Slower periods are commanded almost casually, while rising crescendos of movements increase their adrenaline as they conduct with purpose, anticipating and planning ahead at a rapid pace.
Orchestrating the rapid movements of each landing and takeoff while simultaneously directing service vehicles and moving aircraft over the web of concrete on the ground below is a challenging endeavour. These “conductors” are air traffic controllers and they are the masters of all movement in the air within their designated airspace and on the ground.
Three controllers overlook the runways with a supervisor in the fourth seat behind them. Each has a very specific job to do, and must work in harmony with each other and with another group of area controllers located in a separate building. They relay information about aircraft moving into their airspace to keep traffic flowing safely and efficiently.

A big ol’ room of controllers.

Controllers go through intense training to develop their skills and learn how to use the sophisticated systems and technology that assists them. The EXCDS Computer System, created by NAV CANADA and used throughout the world, provides electronic flight strips on touch-screen displays. It is an essential tool used to share information among controllers while tracking the movement of aircraft and vehicles.Commanding the tower
The controller in charge of clearance delivery sits either on the right or left side of the tower, switching seats with the tower controller depending on the runway in use. Their role is to coordinate all routes, provide aircraft with their initial clearance, and enter them into NAV CANADA’s computer system, EXCDS. They will do other coordinating as required to assist the tower position.
The ground controller, seated in the middle, is responsible for getting aircraft to the threshold of the runway as well as coordinating all vehicles using the roadways, runways, or the airfield itself. ASDE, the airport surface detection equipment (the spinning yellow arm on top of the tower), is a critical tool used by ground controllers. It is especially useful when there is heavy fog, snow, or rain hampering views from the tower, as it allows controllers to “see” every vehicle on the ground.
During a snowstorm, a run-of-the-mill occurrence during Winnipeg winters, the ground position can become quite hectic. The conga line of snowplows have to clear the runway, sometimes in between each takeoff and landing, and controllers need to be aware of de-icing time limits, as well as the time it takes each aircraft to reach the end of the runway. It can take aircraft up to 10 minutes to reach the threshold of the runway, which is two miles out, when ground traffic and weather are good.
The tower position, seated nearest to the threshold of the runway in use, controls all aircraft in the airspace. They are responsible for all takeoffs and landings, both runways, and any aircraft operating within their airspace. All inbound flights appear on the arrivals panel when they reach the 50 nautical mile perimeter of the airport. Working in the tower requires skilled employees capable of multi-tasking and thinking on their feet. There is no room for error; you can’t tell a plane to stop in mid-air.

The tower at Winnipeg Richardson International Airport.

Radar screens, used by all controllers, provide information on where aircraft are in the airspace above and surrounding the airport.
In order to remain alert, all personnel working the tower, including the supervisor, take regular breaks and rotate through the various positions during their eight-hour shift.Communication is critical
Precise, rapid-fire commands are given and confirmed; voices constantly crack over the open inbound radio frequency. The language that is spoken is like a song, letters transposed into words to avoid confusion are spoken with clarity and authority. As an observer, it is magical, like the rush one feels when viewing any powerful performance – an appreciation for the skills required and awe at seeing it so seamlessly executed. Like conducting a symphony, it requires a degree of sophistication and seriousness of purpose.
Winnipeg Richardson International Airport is a complex airport and providing air traffic control services here requires attention to the different types of aircraft that use our airport. The presence of a military base on the aerodrome makes operations here unique. Passenger airlines, cargo planes, military aircraft, pilots in training, and small commuter jets all vie for use of the runways. This separates Winnipeg from other larger airports where traffic consists mainly of passenger airlines and the types of aircraft flown are more consistent. While other airports may have air traffic volumes that exceed those of Winnipeg, the diversity of aircraft flown here can add complexity to the job of providing air traffic control.
But for many of those in the Winnipeg Tower, this diversity is what makes the job interesting: watching alpha jets fly patterns or do touch-and-goes between flights adds some spice to the day.
Confusing? Not really, because everyone has a precise role to play as part of the whole. Departing aircrafts on a flight plan will first speak with the clearance delivery person, who will pass them to ground. Ground will guide the plane safely to the threshold of the runway. Tower will then take over clearing the takeoff and remaining in contact until the plane has exited their airspace.
The flight is then handed off to their area controller colleague, who will change as the flight progresses. Once the flight nears its destination, the area controller will hand it off to the new tower controller, and when the plane is safely on the ground, ground control will direct them to their gate. Whew – that’s a lot of controllers ensuring your flight leaves and arrives safely!

If your household was anything like mine, the tale of the courageous “Little Engine That Could” was on the top of your bedtime stories list. As a reminder of that plucky story, the little train doesn’t think he can make it over the hill… until he believes in himself. Then he owns that hill and more!
Moral of the story: self-confidence goes a long way. So if this book was read to little boys and little girls alike (as it was for me), why do we as women continue to doubt ourselves? (Perhaps a plucky little female engine might have helped.)
More importantly, how can we stop this ridiculous habit of undermining ourselves?Let’s get chatting about it…
More and more, women are coming forward and admitting that they often don’t think they are smart enough, talented enough, or sufficiently qualified for opportunities. And these aren’t just any women. These are ridiculously intelligent, motivated, and capable women.
I’m talking about little girls, young women, and older women alike – all questioning if we can actually “do it.” And “it” may be anything. In my case: a promotion, a committee, a new job, a volunteer opportunity, or even a project in my current role.
The good news (in some ways) is we aren’t alone. Anyone who follows the Sheryl Sandberg movement has learned that in business and life alike, we can be our own worst enemies. Many women will wait until asked to jump on an opportunity rather than be proactive and demand inclusion. Furthermore, we may doubt ourselves when these opportunities are presented.
So, we aren’t alone – which means we need to start talking about it, sharing our stories, supporting each other, and most importantly, supporting ourselves.
We must also consider: what else can we do to end this “little-engine-that-cannot” nonsense?Trust yourself and your common sense
Go with your instincts, ladies. You sat in those same classes, got those same high grades (and often higher), and read those same books as your male counterparts. You have the same leadership, guidance, and support around you if you’re willing to look and ask for it. While men are more likely to speak up, women are certainly as intelligent and qualified.
Let’s stop putting ourselves in those situations where we think “I knew I should/shouldn’t have done that” after the fact. Let’s start presenting our ideas with confidence, and start trusting ourselves.
If we are wrong about something, or make a mistake – who cares! Own your mistake, move on, hold your head high, and approach the next situation with the same level of confidence. Not only will you begin to trust yourself more, but others will follow suit.Fake it ‘til you make it
Perhaps you’re terrified or unsure. Guess what? Nobody else needs to know! Start presenting yourself with confidence from day one. The fact is, male or female, most people embarking on a new journey or opportunity may be clueless. However, women are much more likely to express this – causing others to doubt us, and worse yet, doubting ourselves.
So dress the part, walk the walk, and talk the talk – even if you feel like a phony inside. You will impress others, and (shock!) actually become this confident woman in little time.Surround yourself with like-minded individuals
Some of the most successful women you know will tell you the same thing. They have doubted themselves and questioned their own intelligence. I’ve heard it from female mentors and leaders over and over again. There is no better way to end this fear than to hear those you want to become admit to the same challenges and insecurities.
After all, if they still emerged as that superwoman you greatly admire, you can too.Own the climb
The takeaway is this: let’s get talking. The more we share stories, the more we will learn and grow as a gender. We have this incredible pool of resources, talents, and intelligence among us. Let’s start owning these strengths, just like that little train owned the hill.Athena Leadership is a Manitoba-based, non-profit organization dedicated to advancing young women in leadership. Laura Wittig currently serves on the Board of Directors as the Director of Communications. She is a proponent of helping other women advance in their careers, and seeks to share her perspective on how we can always keep learning personally and professionally.

In April, we file our personal taxes. Along with the many slips we need, we collect all of our charitable receipts, and can assess through an actual numerical figure how giving we truly were this past tax year.However, beyond money, how charitable were you really this past year?
For those of you who have combined your charitable giving with your career by working for a not-for-profit, you can easily answer, “I gave a lot.”
For the majority of others, the question may arise: is it time to give back? What should I get involved in? Can I really afford to volunteer my time?
Well, I have an answer: join a board and everyone wins.
The old adage – give and you shall receive – holds true in this case. You get the opportunity to use your existing talents, be an ambassador for a cause you believe in, provide insight and guidance, and see the direct impact of dollars donated. Your time is priceless – and your membership and true engagement on the board means more than you realize.
For me, working for Junior Achievement (JA) was part of my career plan, inspired by wanting to use my business acumen and experience to make a real difference. The board allowed me to work with other senior leaders from the business community and share challenges, best practices, and business processes of the industries they brought with them. The benefit of having more than one equally senior person to run ideas by was invaluable to my professional development and moving the JA mandate forward.
No matter where you are now in your career, joining a board is a great career-advancing move.
Of course, one word of caution: if you truly do not plan on being an engaged board member, then don’t bother. The experience I had with unengaged board members was a waste of everyone’s time and wasn’t received well by those they sat on the board with (who may one day be in a position to remind them of their lack of engagement).
So now that you have decided to be an active member of a board, here are the top three reasons why you will benefit.You will develop new skills and use other skills you don’t necessarily use at your day job. You have been accepted as a board member because they need your type of experience and background. You may get a chance to take on duties and be involved in areas that are related to your area of expertise but slightly different than what you are currently engaged with. Your strategic insight and guidance will assist the executive director or president of the non-profit and it will allow you to hone in on or lead the process – where in your daily role, you may only supply input.Your professional network will expand. Sitting on a not-for-profit board allows you to spend time and interact with individuals you may not usually interact with. Whether they are more senior to you – which gives you great career potential – or they are in different industries, it opens up opportunities to do business with them. Getting to know more people and their contacts at events can be a lot of fun as well.You’ll gain insight into running a successful organization. As a board member, you not only will learn from those around you, but you will also see the workings of another organization. Best practices that can be put into place and tested can then be placed into your own organization and used with the knowledge of how successful they were. You can see aspects of an organization from a different viewpoint than you usually see from, and sometimes the advancement or clarity this can provide is invaluable.Immerse yourself in the community
If you are new to a leadership role, boards are a wonderful opportunity to meet others like yourself. If you are new to the community, it is a great way to meet other business professionals and become immersed in this new environment.
Finally, as you progress in your career, it is almost a requirement to get active in the community. Your involvement in outside activities may be viewed as just as important as the roles you fill during the day – and in some close competition, your involvement may be the determining factor in whether or not you are chosen as a successful incumbent.
Are you ready to give yourself that competitive advantage while giving to a worthwhile cause? Let me give you that first nudge to your next board position. Join a cause close to my heart – consider the Variety Club of Manitoba – we need your type. For more information, visit bit.ly/Variety_BM.Lisa Cefali is the vice president of executive search with Legacy Bowes Group, where she uses her many years of business experience, and assessment of emotional intelligence, to uncover organizational insight and those attributes that provide the best fit for her clients with their strategic planning needs. Please feel free to contact her at lisa@legacybowes.com for your executive search, recruitment, coaching, and strategic planning needs.

With sunshine in the sky and spring in the air come outside runs and a surge of motivation – for me, anyway.
There’s something just happier about life in spring. Days are longer, just-gotta-make-it-home survival mode is over, and people smile more. And I’m not sure what it is, but I’ve been conditioned to clean up my eating and amp up the fitness at the first signs of melting snow.
Bikinis are beckoning. Maybe it’s that.
But with this surge of spring motivation often comes the reminder that I’m not as fit as I thought I was. I start to question whether or not that five-minute mile I banged out religiously before breakfast last year was a mere figment of my imagination. And I know comfort zones are beautiful places where nothing grows, but I’m a realist (sometimes), and can see some things have obviously changed. My heart rate is telling me so.
I recently did a favour for some classmates who needed a yogi in their magazine ad, and as we shot, we began chatting about flexibility. We agreed that as dancers in our younger lives, it was startling to see the flexibility that goes hand-in-hand with dance life disappear as fast as our tap shoes hit the floor of our closet the year we quit.
I pointed out that something like flexibility can be lost quickly, but that it can also be regained – and just as fast. I slipped into Trainer Tannis mode and supported my comment with offers of encouragement. I said that daily stretching, even short bouts of it, would slowly amp up the rate of “flexi,” and that it wasn’t lost forever.
As soon as I heard the words leave my mouth, I realized that very thread of thought was connected to why I love my spring runs.Addicted to results
I’m addicted to noticeable, measurable results.
Just how you can manipulate your muscles to loosen and lengthen over time, you can improve your cardio conditioning in increments. By pushing yourself just a bit further and further out of that toxic comfort zone every run, your endurance will improve. You’ll notice the improvement, establish benchmarks, and fly past them.
And then I realized those benchmarks served relevance in a few other areas of my life. Notable ones – school ones.The power of commitment
“Work on your writing.” I heard it, I did it, and I heard it some more. Never did I see myself as a poor writer until I went to a writing school of sorts. But like my fitness endeavours and my persistence in that facet, I struggle, I practice, I fail, and I achieve.
Well, sometimes I achieve.
Other times, I want to throw in the towel and quit – ah, the nostalgic feeling of despair. Through my days of fitness modelling and competing, I cannot count on the hands I have how many times I have toyed with the idea of quitting. Literally, I fantasized about it. Let’s just say it was hard, but I had already committed to myself, so of course I never did. And of course, through this, I learned the power of commitment.
And I learned how completely and utterly rewarding it is to see those small wins string together to form big victories. So for spring, it’s the season of reminders and it’s the season of change. Spring is the season of perseverance.Tannis Miller is a personal trainer who has helped women of all ages worldwide develop healthy body image, armed with the fitness and nutrition knowledge to shape their bodies and reach their highest fitness goals.